Rainforest research Volunteer project

This rainforest research volunteer project is run by Malayan Rainforest Station and is located near the Sungai Yu wildlife corridor which connects the two significant conservation areas of Taman Negara and the Titiwangsa Range. The rainforest here is thought to be over 130 million years old, making it one of the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. Under the ancient canopy, there is an explosion of wildlife that calls this place home. Particularly impressive is the area’s birdlife, including colourful hornbills, trogons and bee-eaters, all busily going about their lives in the rainforest.

One of the goal of MRS and the rainforest research volunteer project is to protect the area’s wildlife from poaching, which is a problem in Malaysia’s rainforests. As a rainforest research volunteer, you will join the team on patrols, in which they search for evidence of human activities and deter poachers by their presence in the rainforest. On these treks, you will also learn to identify and record tracks left by the jungle’s giants: elephants, tigers, sun bears, tapirs and gibbons.

Volunteer Project Details

Conservation Treks

Walks are generally 3-4 hours long depending on the group and the route chosen. These jungle walks are fascinating and will really allow you to feel like one of the animals in the forest. You will get to document pugmarks, collect camera trap data and look out for signs of humans and poachers. If any snares are found, the GPS locations will be recorded and the snares will be destroyed. Even old discarded snares continue to catch animals so it is vital that they are removed to prevent any further harm. This is an effort to deter these activities in what is essentially a wildlife highway. Our presence in the forest acts as a useful deterrent.

A medium to high level of fitness is required for these Jungle walks. The walks are supposed to be slow to enable the guides to search for tracks and animal signs. It is advisable for you to talk to your doctor if you have health concerns and/or to train before you come to join us to ensure that you can enjoy and participate fully in this project.

Caving

There are over 70 limestone caves in the Merapoh region. The caves are fantastic – some even have rivers and Waterfalls inside! These caves are home to various animals including thousands of swifts that group together at sunset. The Batek people have also used these caves for centuries so you may spot some of their many cave drawings on your visit.

We visit these caves in order to support local ecotourism efforts and to show the government the importance and significance of saving limestone hills and its diversity from the threat of mining.

Overnight Camp in the forest

On Saturday night we will camp over night in the forest. You will either go with our team or with members of the bateq people. Either way you will have a night to remember. Think, pitching tents, cooking on a fire and listening to the sounds of the forest. Camping is the best way to experience the tropical rainforest!

Start Dates

Why do this project?

Why is this project important? This project is important because this is the last connection of forest between the two main patches of rainforest in Peninsular Malaysia. Your participation not only helps when deter poachers when you are with us in Malaysia but also helps funds patrols when we don’t have volunteers. There are less than 200 Malayan tigers left some whom call this area their home. Once they have gone they are extinct for ever.Also your participation will help the Bateq and Malay communities in the area. You may not be able to join the classes due to the vulnerability of the children but your presence through financial aid and morale support helps the Bateq education project and the alternative livelihoods for the Malay Community.THANK YOU for considering to join our fight.

Food & Accommodation

Accommodation

Food

The volunteer programme package includes all daily meals:

Breakfast – We normally take breakfast in the house, cereals, toast etc. You can also try some local breakfast at the nearby food stalls.Lunch – You will be provided with packed lunches. The packed lunches are normally traditional bread (Roti Canai), rice, with fish or chicken and some veggies. If you have any diet restrictions please inform us.Dinner – The team normally cook and eat at home in the evenings. You will however have opportunities to eat out at both Merapoh (Monday) and Gua Musang (Thursday) night markets. You will also have the pleasure of eating a traditional Malay meal with a Malay family on Wednesday.Camping – On Saturday you will camp out eating bamboo-cooked rice, vegetables and chicken.

Testimonials

Adrianna,

It was a very unique experience for me. I haven’t been to the rainforest before, so it was challenging for me at the beginning, but I am glad I could meet the indigenous Batek tribe. We did a lot of jungle trekking, they thought us how to cook in bamboo, make a shelter (hayak), we have learned a lot about their culture and traditions (I wrote the whole article about Batek).

There is no other way to experience than through the project, so I think it’s 100 % worth it!

Joanna,

I volunteered with Fuze Ecoteer on the conservation program in Merapoh Malaysia, and it was absolutely amazing. Going into it, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve never been to Malaysia, nor had much experience with conservation work. I was interested in learning more and experiencing a new part of the world.

The Fuze Ecoteer staff were very helpful and supportive throughout the whole experience. The interns and volunteer coordinators at the project site were really knowledgable and passionate about conservation. It was as treat to experience the jungle through their eyes. Even though myself and another volunteer were there just for the week, we felt very welcomed by the staff and like we had been friends for much longer.

Some of my personal favorites from the week:

– Camping with the Batek! These women are incredible, we got to witness them building their shelter from the forest. Something I’ll remember forever.– The Malay dinner and night markets! I love Malay food (and the evening actives that involved food 🙂 ) and interacting with the locals.– Trekking in the forest with the group and being totally overwhelmed (in an awesome way) by the sounds, smells, sights of the jungle.– Lastly, just taking in the views of the massive limestone rocks and caves from the back of the truck.

Merapoh is a magical spot, and Fuze does a really fantastic (and community-centric) job of showing it off. Highly recommend, feel free to email me with any questions!

Support our causes and buy some merchandise

You can support the Fuze Ecoteer projects and supported organisations by buying their merchandise. A minimum of 60% of your fee goes directly towards the conservation cause linked to that product. The other percentage is used for production costs.